Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Cash Valley: To Bring One Down, by Ryan K. Nelson
2018, 220p, Mystery/Suspense
My Rating=5 Stars
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author, which did not affect my review in any way

Agent Alex Travis returns to Cache Valley in search of an escaped prisoner, who bears a striking resemblance to one of the gang members Jack killed in the shootout in Green Canyon four years earlier. His instincts are leading him in the right direction, but he continues to be one step behind the man seeking revenge on Jack & Kate, and their young daughter, Emma. By not telling the whole truth of the missing bank money at the time of the recovery, Agent Travis has put them all in jeopardy. He must now decide if he can solve this case on this own, in time to save his friends, or if he risks asking for help from the Bureau and ruining his career in the process, a possibility that could land him in jail as well.

In a race to see who finds who first, the search shifts to nearby Logan Canyon, where Agent Travis will be tested by his own conscience as much as by the man he’s hunting.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, and quite frankly, thought it worked well as a standalone. I was intrigued when the author, Ryan Nelson, contacted me about a sequel and interested to see how it would be accomplished. (Click here to learn more about the first book and read my review.)I am pleased to say that this book didn't disappoint! It takes place four years after the first book. Agent Alex Travis, Kate, and Jack are surprised to learn about a loose end in the bank robbery case they were all involved in. They are thrown into a situation they weren't prepared for and need to adjust quickly in order to survive.I loved the pacing! I kept turning the pages quickly to learn what would happen next. This book is just as intense as the first book. The characters have to deal with some tough situations and I wasn't sure how they would get out of some of them. I liked the balance the author struck between making what they went through realistic without making it too difficult to read.I would recommend both of these books to anyone that enjoys mystery/suspense. The author includes history of the Cache Valley area, which I'm not familiar with, but found interesting. I look forward to reading more of Ryan Nelson's work in the future!

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Ryan now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He released his debut novel, Cash Valley, in 2016 to critical acclaim, including earning a spot as a finalist for a RONE award and making the Shortlist in the Chanticleer International Book Awards.